Monday, November 5, 2007

Look Ma, no Cavities.

I went to a brand new dentist today.

The good news is that I have perfect teeth. 39 years, and still no cavities. Ever. I was feeling awfully proud of myself until the dentist told me that really, it is only because I have less of a certain kind of bacteria in my mouth. Everything about my teeth is just peachy, according to my new dentist. She loved my teeth.

But my gums, oh my gums - they aren't living to the high standards set by my teeth. My gums are trying hard to get attention by creating "pockets." Pockets of what - I have no idea. marbles? air? who knows? All I know is that when they poke said pockets with pointy metal sharp instruments, it is not so fun for me.

So, they are recommending a "Sonic Care" Toothbrush. I've always assumed that those $100 toothbrushes are a marketing scam. (I'm in marketing. I get that most things are marketing scams.) But if helps me empty those gum pockets, maybe I should try it? Are they worth it?

My other alternative is to sit down and have a talk with the teeth: "Teeth, maybe you could just get a teeny cavity, so that the gums don't feel like they need to overcompensate for your ridiculous over achievement by acting up with their silly pockets?"

Yeah, that ought to work. Me thinks I'm out $100 for a fancy pocket soothing toothbrush.

5 comments:

Bridgett said...

I used to have this totally guilty complex about the cavities in my teeth--the first one showed up at age 12 and I had my last one filled 4 years ago at 28. But then a dentist shrugged her shoulders at me and said, "you could brush all you want and you'd probably still get pits and cavities. Your enamel just isn't that great." It made me feel so much better--and then she told me that the gums, though, there I could definitely improve. No genetics to blame there.

Anonymous said...

Oh man...they are SO worth it! You know that fresh-from-the-dentist feeling? Well, you get that every time you brush! Dang, I think that's they're slogan...but in this case? Totally true. I've used one for probably about 3 years now, and I lovelovelove them. Trips to the dentist are much shorter now, as there's less gunk for them to scrape off.

You still do need to floss as well, though. Oh well. Can't win 'em all.

Kristen said...

I floss like a fiend! They think the gum issue is related to my bite. They said I might actually be brushing/flossing too roughly and I need something that is more gentle.

Really, you can't win. : )

Thanks for the recommendation.

Anonymous said...

Yes, the electric toothbrushes are definitely worth it. They reduced my pockets and therefore the amount of sharp metal poking at tender gums.

Miguelita said...

I had the Sonicare and LOVED it. I swear for the three years I was using it, my dentist would climb in my lap and smooch me because my gums were so healthy and my teeth so nearly tartar free.
They have gone down alot in price. I think Traget has them oon sale on Black Friday for $70. Worth it. I need to get one. My old one broke in a horrible cheap tote bag incident.